Aberdeen City Council has announced the official opening of one of Scotland's biggest playparks following the completion of a £1 million transformation.

The new Hazlehead Park includes gigantic towers, a zip line, wheelchair-accessible trampolines, and many musical items along with old favourites like the old jeep and sand digger which have been retained.

Councillor Martin Greig, convener of Education and Children's Services Committee, said: "The new playpark is a great addition to Hazlehead Park and the city and it will give enormous fun to children of all ages.

"It will be an attraction for Aberdeen as one of Scotland's biggest playparks as well as being inclusive and high quality – it gives people a good reason to come and discover all that Hazlehead Park has to offer."

Councillor Jessica Mennie, vice-convener of Education and Children's Services Committee, said: "We have been so looking forward to seeing youngsters enjoy this fantastic addition to the playparks around the city.


"We hope families from Aberdeen and further afield have fun in this new attraction and particularly during the school Summer holidays, no matter what the weather is like!"

The new playpark includes:

• Equipment for younger children and older children as part of the design;

• A large wheelchair unit for inclusivity and ensuring all can play;

• Large towers which will bring a wow factor;

• A purpose-made trail through the wooded section to give a different dynamic of play;

• Fixed formal play elements, interactive panels, and role-play play options.

The new playpark will join the excellent range of exciting family-friendly facilities in Hazlehead Park include a café, maze, Pets' Corner and year-round events such as Aberdeen Highland Games. Hazlehead Park, which is the largest park in Aberdeen at 180 hectares and is one of the oldest and most historical properties in the city through King of Scots Robert The Bruce and Mary, Queen of Scots, is also a Red Squirrel Conservation Area.

Beyond the new play equipment, improvements have been made including new drainage to the site, new seating, picnic benches and bins, new landscaping, new safety surfacing, and grass zones.

Consultation with local schools and community groups along with a public consultation helped to fine-tune the designs.

The project funds come from a Scottish Government and COSLA £50million fund for funding to local authorities for the refurbishment of children's playparks and come after Aberdeen City Council has been replacing or refurbishing playparks around the city for several years.